Page 56 of Stalk Me (The Keatyn Chronicles 1)
He pulls me into his arms. “Why don’t you come to my room for a little while? We can celebrate, and I can tell you all about the script,” he says in a velvety voice.
“I’m already here celebrating with my friends. ”
“And just what are you celebrating?”
“My birthday is this week. ”
“Well, happy birthday. ”
“Thanks. ” I tease him before I walk away. “You know, I’m totally going to be watching you in action. Good luck with finding a uh, roommate. ”
When I lie back in my chaise, RiAnne says, “Who is that guy? Is he an actor? Ohmigawd, he is so hot. ”
Vanessa says, “He is hot, but isn’t he a bit old for you?”
“You dated that twenty-six year old. He’s not that much older. Um, I never asked you at the time, but was it, like, good with him? Was his being older, like, a benefit in any way?”
She laughs. “If that’s your way of asking if the sex was good, the answer is yes. It was amazing. He knew way more than any high school boy and a lot more than the college guy. Plus, he had way more stamina. ”
“Stamina?”
“Yeah, like he could do it for a really long time. Sometimes, he’d go so long, I’d almost get bored. Almost,” she says with a pleased smirk.
“He’s going to be my neighbor,” I tell her with a grin.
“Let me know when he moves in. ” She arches a perfect eyebrow at me. “I’d like to give him a special housewarming gift. ” Then she nudges me. “Or maybe we can share. He looks like he’d be into that. ”
“You’re naughty,” I say with a laugh. Then I take a drink of beer and let my eyes wander back to the bar.
I’ve moved on.
9:30pm
We hung by the pool, had some drinks, had dinner in the bar, then I headed home.
I’m looking forward to taking a long, hot bath and going to sleep early.
I wander into the kitchen to see who’s home. James and my mom are sitting at the kitchen table shaking their heads at each other.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Nothing, honey,” Mom says, but I know she’s lying.
“Abby, I think she needs to know about this. We don’t know what this guy is doing, and this doesn’t make sense. She needs to be on alert too. ”
“On alert about what? Is this about the creeper again?”
“Yes,” James says grimly. “Your mom found a letter in her purse. It happened while we were at a cocktail party tonight. ”
“Weren’t you there, James? Aren’t you supposed to be watching out for stuff like that?”
“I was there. I don’t know how it happened. She only spoke to people she knew. ”
“So does that mean the stalker is someone she knows?” I ask. “I thought it was that weird pale guy?”
“We’ve pretty much ruled him out,” James says.
“Okay, so where were you tonight?”
“We were at an industry cocktail party. We spoke to a ton of people, from actors, to producers, to investors, to agents, to the guys that work the cameras. It was a fundraiser,” Mom tells me.
“And I lowered my guard because of it. I can’t do that again,” James says.
“None of you should lower your guard. So you knew the people at the party; big deal. What about all the waiters? The bartenders? Do you know how easy it would be to pretend to be one of them? He also could have paid someone to slip it in her purse. He wouldn’t have even had to do it himself, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. ”
“So . . . what did the letter say?”
James slides the letter across the table. I read it.
I’ve been in love with you for a long time, but your nudity and sex scenes in To Maddie with Love disgusted me.
I was so mad when I saw them, I wanted to fucking kill you.
To make you pay.
I thought you should know that I’ve moved on.
I’ve found someone younger and even more beautiful than you to love.
Farewell, Abby.
—Your former biggest fan
“So why are you upset about this? He’s done with you? That’s awesome, isn’t it?”
James stands up and starts pacing. “That’s what I don’t get. For the past fifteen years he’s been professing his love, but it was no big deal, just your basic fan mail. Then it began to sound violent, and he threatened you and the kids. Now we’re supposed to believe that after all this time, this is it? He’s done with you? It just doesn’t add up. What if he just wants us to let our guard down?”
“It really sounds like he’s moved on, James. I was freaked out about how the note got in my purse, but I did leave it on my chair for most of the night. And I know this sounds bad, but I’m glad he’s someone else’s problem. ”
“I think we should cancel the party, Abby. There’s going to be six hundred people there. You’re going to be way too exposed. ”
“CANCEL MY BIRTHDAY PARTY!? You can’t!”
Mom says, “Don’t be silly, James. We aren’t canceling her party. ”
I run over and hug Mom. “Thanks, Mom. James, I know it’s your job to be uptight and on guard and all, but no stalker is gonna crash my birthday party. Especially one who says he’s moving on. ”
“Well, I’m doubling the security, and, Abby, you’ll have a two-man team with you at all times. ”
“Whatever you think is best,” Mom tells James.
I go in my room, fill my tub with water, get in, and think about my party.
About everything Vanessa and RiAnne said today.
They’re probably right about Brooklyn.
I pull Cush’s number up and send him a quick text. Ask if he’s coming to the party.
He doesn’t reply.
Thursday, August 18th
Commit social suicide?
8:30am
I open my eyes to a bright sunny day. The perfect weather for my birthday.
At midnight, Brooklyn called, woke me up, and told me happy birthday. I thought it was really sweet. And I don’t want to listen to my mind. I want to listen to my heart. My little sisters also came in at like five am, but I was able to go back to sleep.
I text RiAnne and Vanessa and tell them that I took their advice and texted Cush, but that he didn’t bother to reply. I told them I’m going to convince Brooklyn to come to my party, and that I’d like them to make him feel welcome.
I still think my plan will work. My best surfer friends will meet my best school friends, and by the time we head back here for the after-party, they’ll all be new best friends.
In fact, I’m pretty sure that my life is going to be perfect.
My phone vibrates with a text.
